It was time to nip at noon when a carriage quickly ran on the noisy path in the South Street. Finally, it stopped in front of Xuanxiang Restaurant.

As the green curtain was lifted, an old woman in white hair slowly got off the carriage. She patted her purple gown embroidered with corals and pomegranate flowers, taking the sandalwood walking stick held by the carter.

Then some servants in the restaurant smiled and greeted her.

Xuanxiang Restaurant was the first site embracing tea business and plays in Jing City of Da Yi.

The building had three floors, and it was roomy on the first floor, where over 100 seats were put.

In the front, a high platform with red rails stood on the ground. It was just the place where actors and actresses played and acted.

There were many great seats on the second and third floors, where the citizens and noble people were respectively served.

The servant led the old woman to a normal seat on the third floor, putting some fresh fruits, delicate foods, and a cup of plum tea on the square table. After doing that, he obediently left.

The old woman looked around with sharp and alert eyes, shifting her eyes to the scene downstairs.

It was time to entertain people on the first floor. When the light smoke of incense spread in the air, people could hear the great sound of instruments.

A storyteller waved the folding fan in his hand, sitting in front of the long table on one side of the platform. He loudly and clearly told tales in the folklore, attracting people in the seat.

Soon the sound of steps became clearer when a young man in a green gown embroidered with blessing patterns walked in front of the table. He looked over the old woman's radiant face, raising his fists to salute and saying in a low voice.

"Miss Yun, do you remember me?"

The old woman was stunned for a while, looking at his delicate eyes in her somewhat skeptical eyes. She asked in a trembled voice, which evidently belonged to a young woman.

"You are Danqing?"

He quietly nodded.

The old woman and he sat down. Then the former raised her hand and uncovered the fake face on her face, as Gu Yunxi's delicate face appeared.

It had been for years before they met each other again, so both of them felt complicated.

After talking for a while, Gu Yunxi felt something strange.

"Miss Fu, what's wrong with your voice?"

Fu Danqing slightly raised her lips, sadly shaking her head.

"Soon after Emperor Renxian was on the throne, Wanhua Tower was damaged by people in the Eastern Depot. In a fire, some girls and I escaped. But my voice was hurt by the thick smoke."

"I couldn't be the top courtesan anymore. Since then, I imitated you and started to disguise myself as a man, helping His Highness Solo do tasks. The building is just the new site of Men of Sacrifice in Udan."

Hearing that, Gu Yunxi felt pitiful. She slowly nodded and appeared calm.

Fu Danqing was serious in her eyes. She looked at Gu Yunxi who frowned, asking her.

"How are you? I know you are trapped in the imperial harem of Emperor Renxian. Did you experience a bad life?"

Gu Yunxi sadly sighed.

"In general, I can deal with it. I have found my darling. Now we are contriving to beat Commander-in-chief of the Eastern Depot in order to avenge those old members of the Eastern Depot killed by him."

At that time, some loud sounds occurred from the downstairs. Gu Yunxi was attracted, so she looked at the platform on the first floor.

When the tone was finished, a girl slowly moved to the center of the platform.

She wore a colorful and delicate garment, with a silver coronet ornamented by pearls. As she slowly moved and walked, the hairpin and head decoration flickered, being so brilliant in people's eyes.

Besides, her little face was covered with thick colors. The makeup was delicate and sophisticated, but it also made her real appearance dim.

When the girl waved her light sleeves, her soft waist also twisted. With her face somewhat covered by thick color, she just showed up and even hadn't started to sing. But many people had already been attracted.

When the thick floods of applause and scream gradually disappeared, Fu Danqing looked at the platform and raised her chin.

"Have you seen the actress? Her stage name is Ruiji, who is just liked by Yue Xilou. When Yue Xilou was free, he would wear a normal garment and come here, especially supporting Ruiji."

Gu Yunxi stood up and held the rail, looking at the platform for a long time.

"I just heard that Yue Xilou is indulged in opera, but I couldn't think a eunuch should be so elegant. He should imitate those noble people, supporting those actresses."

As Gu Yunxi stopped seeing, she carefully asked Fu Danqing.

"How old is Ruiji?"

"She is 18 years old in the nominal age. Besides, she once worked in the whorehouse and is good at serving people. His Highness Solo took her in, originally to let her be close to Yue Xilou and assassinate him. But now we have received your message, so we will be obedient to you, whatever your plan is."

Gu Yunxi turned to be serious in her eyes, saying without thinking.

"Bring Ruiji to me. Ten days later, the envoy of Ying State will go to the court and visit Huanan Xin. At that time, there will be a wonderful pageant with firework in Imperial Garden when many operas must be played."

"I think I can dedicate Ruiji to Huanan Xin."

"Great!"

It was brilliant in Fu Danqing's eyes, and then she admired.

"We just dedicate the woman liked by Yue Xilou to Huanan Xin. By means of her skills, Ruiji could easily be admired by Huanan Xin. At that time, Huanan Xin and Yue Xilou could be estranged from each other. As a result, you can benefit from their fights."

Gu Yunxi smartly smiled.

"When Huanan Xin and Yue Xilou are estranged from each other, people in the cabinet will also stir up the trouble. At that time, Yue Xilou would be soon beaten."

Fu Danqing turned her delicate eyes and added.

"I have also made sense of one thing. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Wang Can, was a frank and upright person."

"When Counselor-in-chief Shi celebrated his birthday, Wang Can couldn't dedicate a valuable gift. Since then, he was pressed."

"But Wang Can has a good command of six languages of the western tribes, and has ever suggested to further communicate with the western tribes and let many great things in, which made Huanan Xin admire him so much. Therefore, Ritual Minister doesn't dare to offend him. Wang Can himself has always not gone well with Counselor-in-chief Shi's partisans."

Gu Yunxi slightly drank the plum tea and considered.

"Now Ritual Minister Shi Shu’an is Noble Concubine Hui's brother, Counselor-in-chief Shi's son. If we can take his place, we will be able to interrupt one of the Six Ministries and gradually arrange our members into the cabinet."

Fu Danqing nodded and admired.

"Yeah, it will be an autumn Feudal Examination soon. People in the Ministry of Rites take duty on the thing. If we can grasp the opportunity and do something, the Ninth Prince will easily develop his members in the dark."

Gu Yunxi modestly asked.

"In your opinion, how can we win Wang Can's support?"

Fu Danqing thought for a while.

"Wang Can is frank and upright, so he will never be bribed by a fortune. Instead, the behavior will backfire. As far as I know, he is a filial son. Several years ago, his mother was sick. He tried to find doctors to cure his mother, but nobody could successfully make it. Now Wang Can's mother has been lying in bed for a year."

Gu Yunxi appeared surprised in her face.

"So, if we want to cure Wang Can's mother, we must let the medical sage and his apprentice make it!"

...

When Gu Yunxi said goodbye to Fu Danqing and hustled to go back to the Palace, Huanan Xin was blowing up in Shuofeng Hall.

"You say! You clearly tell me! What's the truth of the gossip in the folk?"

Huanan Xin was too anxious, as some blue veins occurred in his forehead. He pointed at Commandery Princess Jingle and violently roared.

"You are the Commandery Princess honored by me! Why should you go to Ninth Prince's Mansion and casually argue? Now people are all talking about the fact that you, Commandery Princess Jingle, have behaved ridiculously, which is not our imperial members' style! You just have made me lose face!"

As the board sleeve violently waved, Huanan Xin turned around and anxiously walked around.

Commandery Princess Jingle quietly stood up with her hands folded. She appeared so calm and indifferent in her delicate face. It seemed that she completely ignored Huanan Xin's anxiety and complaint.

Yesterday, she ran to Huanan He's mansion and tried to let him marry her, which was quickly transferred by citizens in Jing City.

When Huanan Xin heard that, he immediately took the honor guards and went into Shuofeng Hall, strictly punishing several maids.

As an old saying went, good news stayed indoors, while bad news travelled far.

Now that Huanan Xin could hear the fresh news, the women in the imperial harem could also gain the news.

Concubine Liang, Su Mao, always disliked the peace and liked to join to do something interesting. She was indeed a naughty woman who liked to laugh at something bad.

When she heard Commandery Princess Jingle was in trouble, Concubine Liang couldn't be quiet anymore. In her palace, she dressed up and got in the sedan, also going to Shuofeng Hall.

She was not to care for Commandery Princess Jingle but to see the fun. Besides, she could also see handsome Huanan Xin.

It was not until Huanan Xin had finished rebuking Commandery Princess Jingle that Concubine Liang slowly walked close to him. She smiled and softly said.

"Your Majesty, please don't be so anxious. After all, Ying'er is so young and she previously served Her Grace. So she doesn't know how to watch one person."

"You don't talk about Her Grace!"

Huanan Xin didn't understand Concubine Liang's real intention, so he was stirred up. Immediately, he became more anxious and rebuked.

"It is Her Grace that spoils her, which lets her act ridiculously! She is just a silly girl!"

"Yes, I am silly! I am spoiled!"

Commandery Princess Jingle stared at Huanan Xin in her scarlet eyes, pointing at her chest with her index finger. She sadly and loudly screamed.

"You are an Emperor, but you could just blame me. But you are also partial towards the woman in Jingyang Palace! Without her evil action, how could Ninth Uncle ignore me? How could he abandon me?"

"Shut up!"

Huanan Xin was much too anxious, as he couldn't bear the silly girl to curse his beloved concubine in another concubine's presence.

When he raised his palm high, Concubine Liang immediately grasped it.

"Please don't do it! Your Majesty, please don't!"

Commandery Princess Jingle talked about the intimate relationship between Concubine Yun and the Ninth Prince, which instigated Huanan Xin again and almost let him lose his temper. On the side, Concubine Liang saw and was so happy in her heart.

She saw the fun, but she also pretended to stop him.

Concubine Liang immediately kneeled and softly said.

"Your Majesty, Commandery Princess is so delicate and fragile. She can't suffer your slap! Your Highness, please don't say those words."

Huanan Xin blushed and anxiously let his arm fall, squinting at aggrieved Commandery Princess Jingle.

"Ying'er, from now on, you can't go anywhere! You just stay at your place and reflect on yourself! If I hear you say something ridiculous and slander Concubine Yun, I will expel you from the Palace and leave you alone."

After firmly saying that, Huanan Xin strode with his hands held on his back and left. Concubine Liang waved her waist and tightly followed him.

Along the way, the brilliant flowers were blooming. It was colorful and exuberant.

Huanan Xin was blank just for a while. But then he didn't want to see them and turned to be sullen again.

Seeing that, Concubine Liang pretended to be mild. She slowly held Huanan Xin's arm and mildly comforted.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. After all, the Ninth Prince is a dissolute dandy. It is not so reasonable that Ying'er marries with him."

Huanan Xin rubbed his ached forehead with two fingers and sighed.

"Ninth Uncle behaves ridiculously, while Jingle says inelegant words. Ah, I am so busy and must confront with the political affairs all day, but I have also got to be disrupted by our inner things..."

"Your Majesty, you are a good Emperor loving all citizens. After the envoy of Ying State finishes visiting us, you should also care for yourself and enjoy a good holiday."

Some complicated emotion occurred in Huanan Xin's dark eyes, and then his handsome face turned to be a little dark in the sunshine.

"Those people in Ying State always like fighting and competing. The reason for their arrival is to aim at the territory of Kunhuang Island, so it is not easy to confront them. Nominally, they visit us. But in fact, they want to compete with us."

Concubine Liang was astonished.

"Your Majesty, why do you say so?"

Huanan Xin sneered.

"According to our investigators' messages, there are five top cooks in the envoy of Ying State. Besides, they also bring many rare food materials, just in order to compete with our imperial chefs in Da Yi."

"Lately, I order people in Imperial Kitchen and Concubinary Kitchen to practice. At that time, they could never lose our Imperial Family Huanan's face."

Concubine Liang's delicate eyes turned, and then she seemed to think of something.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Sister Yun has a good command of cooking. And she has ever shown her skills in the imperial harem, saying there is a good recipe in her hand. In the recipe, many methods of dealing with rare materials are referred."

"I consider we had better let Sister Yun deal with the thing to compete with people in Ying State in the way of cooking."

"You just remind me..."

Huanan Xin stopped and thought for a while, and then he ceaselessly shook his head.

"No. Yunxi is weak and feeble. She is just cured of smallpox, so I can't bear she continues to be tired."

Concubine Liang refrained from the cold emotion in her face and softly said.

"The women in the imperial harem, from the Empress to the lady-in-waiting, are your wife and concubines in the Palace. But besides, they are also your courtiers."

"Now our country is in need, so our courtiers should try our best. Besides, the envoys of Ying State visit us just once several years. And we just compete with each other once."

"If you don't want to say to her, I can ask for her help. Anyhow, we are both women, so it is easy to communicate with each other."

Huanan Xin slowly lowered his eyes and waved his hand.

"Don't bother. I will ask her in person."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Concubine Liang obediently nodded when she cutely smiled as she slightly raised her red lips.